Vancouver Island

Whale Watching

In 2010, Travel + Leisure magazine named Vancouver Island one of North America’s Best Whale Watching Spots.

Go on a Vancouver Island whale-watching tour to see Orcas (killer whales), Pacific grey whales, humpback whales and lots of other marine wildlife.

This is an ideal place for whale watching: an estimated 85 Orcas live in the the waters around southern Vancouver Island and the southern Gulf Islands, while the northeast coast is home to about 250 Orcas, as well as minke and humpback whales. Some 20,000 Pacific grey whales make their annual migration along Vancouver Island’s west coast – there’s even a whale festival to celebrate their journey.

When To Go Whale Watching

Whale watching season varies depending on species. In the Gulf Islands, sightings are most common between May and November when great numbers of salmon, a staple food, are spawning nearby. Between mid-March and mid-April, witness the migration of Pacific grey whales along Vancouver Island’s west coast as they travel from Mexico to the Bering Sea. The months between February and October offer grey whale viewing in Clayoquot and Barkley sounds, while mid-June to October is the best time to spot Orcas in the Johnstone Strait and Broughton Archipelago.

Whale-Watching Tours

A variety of whale-watching tours are available to suit any itinerary. Spend an afternoon on the water on a three- to five-hour tour, combine a morning of whale watching with a trip to Hot Springs Cove (near Tofino) or take a week to whale watch on a luxurious sailboat with comfortable amenities and onboard naturalists.

Whale-watching operators often offer multiple boat options – speed along the water in an open-air Zodiac or catamaran or relax inside a heated cabin on a yacht or cruiser. View whales breaching or eagles soaring from elevated platforms, listen to fascinating facts from guides through an onboard sound system or even eavesdrop on whales using a hydrophone. Experienced paddler? Some operators lead kayak tours, often with beach camping and up-close encounters with marine life.

Popular Whale Watching Spots

Take in cold water surfing culture, in addition to sightings of Pacific grey whales, Orcas and humpback whales, with tours in Tofino and Ucluelet. At the Wickaninnish Centre in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, peer through telescopes to look for migrating whales or watch for whales from the shoreline Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet. Celebrate the annual migration of the Pacific grey whale at the Pacific Rim Whale Festival (March), with family activities, lectures and whale viewing.

Visit the waters of north Vancouver Island for prime whale-watching tours from Telegraph Cove, Port McNeill and Alert Bay. Look for Orcas, minke whales and humpback whales. Many Orcas frequent the waters of the Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve in Johnstone Strait to take advantage of its "rubbing stones" – these are the only Orcas known to rub their bodies on smooth pebbles beaches. Combine a whale-watching tour with a visit to the Whale Interpretive Centre in Telegraph Cove or explore local Aboriginal culture at the U’mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay.

Travel sheltered inland waters on Campbell River whale-watching tours, where, unlike open-water whale-watching trips, guided tours often travel only meters from the shorelines. See bears foraging, eagles fishing, and marine life such as seals, porpoises and the occasional humpback whale.

The southern Gulf Islands lie in close proximity to the feeding grounds of three pods of southern resident Orcas. Head to the Gulf Islands on a Vancouver whale-watching tour or from various locations on south Vancouver Island, including tours from Sidney and tours from Victoria. Ferries run between islands, as well as to the mainland, with whale sightings often announced on board.

Practical Points

Peak season for whale watching is between May and November.

Most whale watching operators require advance reservations.

Dress in warm layers as boat decks can be breezy.

Seasickness is generally not an issue, but for trips on open waters be prepared for some motion.

Visit local Visitor Centres for help with trip ideas, planning and transportation.

31 - 40 of 47 Results

Travel with Ecosummer Expeditions on an intimate guided tour, kayaking in the realm of Orcas along BC's Johnstone Strait (the best place in BC to see Killer Whales in the wild). Untamed, inspiring, remote and magical, Warden Beach is home to our Orca Camp and your staging ground for adventures wild and mild. Explore the coast of Vancouver Island on 3, 4, and 6-day Orca Camp adventures, or book any of our packages in combination with Orca Camp for a "best of BC" vacation!

Unleash your wild side and discover what countless travellers have always known: an Ecosummer expedition is a once-in-a-lifetime journey for the soul, where moments in nature soon become memories to last a lifetime!

Guided sea kayaking tours of northern Vancouver Island, The Great Bear Rainforest & Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands). Base camp & expedition-style tours ranging from four to fifteen days. Join us at our Orca Waters Base Camp for the best in wildlife & whale viewing or an expedition to Gwaii Haanas National Park for the ultimate in wilderness adventures. Family specific departures are available. All tours are fully inclusive & no experience is needed for most tours.

Knight Inlet Lodge is Canada's premier grizzly bear viewing destination. We have been featured in productions by the BBC Natural History Unit (2008), National Geographic, Time Magazine, Disney & many others around the world as the best place to view grizzly bears in their natural habitat. Situated in the lush Great Bear Rainforest, Knight Inlet Lodge caters to the wildlife enthusiast wishing unparallelled viewing opportunities for grizzly bears, whales, birds & many other species of animals. 2012 & 2013 Travellers Choice award winner.

Experience the nature around Vancouver on a guided kayak excursion and beach BBQ in Indian Arm Provincial Park. This fjord-like glacial inlet with magnificent scenery is only a short drive away from downtown. Discover seals, sea stars, blue herons and a myriad of other shore birds. Qualified guides accompany you at all times, ensure your comfort and explain the nature around you.

Highlight of the trip is a salmon BBQ picnic served on a small, uninhabited island with breathtaking views. Pick-up from your residence in Vancouver is included.

We also offer a number of different day trips including Whale Watching to Victoria with Butchart Gardens, Grouse Mountain & Capilano Suspension Bridge, Whistler & more.

Rated "Trip of a Lifetime" by Frommer's (2000-2014) & a "Tour of a Lifetime" by National Geographic Traveler (2011). Take a boutique expedition cruise by classic, small ship to experience BC's wildlife, landscape & culture. Cruise islands & fjords, explore ancient rainforests. A-list naturalists & guides lead you to special bear, whale & seabird viewing & First Nations sites that are not accessible to the general public. Frequent shore trips, gourmet cuisine, friendly crew & comfy accommodations aboard beautiful ships. Private ensuite staterooms available.
Destinations: Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands), Great Bear Rainforest, Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands. Operated by a leader in sustainable tourism since 1986, these trips are for people who enjoy the path less travelled. We welcome you to contact us or visit our website.

Sea Kayak Tours from Telegraph Cove providing you with the best opportunity for the unforgettable experience of viewing orca or killer whales & many other marine mammals in their natural, wilderness environment.

2 hour, half day & day guided tours departing daily.

Guided tours from 2-8 days in the realm of the Orca, led by highly trained passionate guides, excellent equipment, meals that will delight & an overall experience that will safely provide you with life long memories, while causing the minimum impact on the area.

Join us to experience unparallelled wildlife viewing, whale watching & awe-inspiring First Nations culture, amidst BC's most spectacular landscapes. Our motorized yacht, Great Bear II, is fully certified & inspected by Transport Canada annually, to help ensure your safety. Some of the best certified captains & crew. Our small group sizes mean our guests enjoy intimate experiences with nature & our photographers some of the best opportunities... our guests are never just part of a crowd. With a maximum of 6 guests per trip, our fully certified professional guides can better ensure the safety of the group while having the least impact on the lands we visit & the wildlife we view. Join our scheduled trips or design your own custom (private) charter & experience the wild in wilderness!